Here's the tech U.S. President Barack Obama uses

U.S. President Barack Obama is full-swing into his second term. ZDNet takes an (updated) look back at all the technology that has kept and continues to keep the leader of the free world ticking over — from his first day in office in 2009 to the present day.

From smartphones to computers, tablets and automotive tech, we explore the varied technological tastes (and in some cases, "obligatory tech") from the most tech-savvy head of state to ever sit in the Oval Office.

And, just to make things interesting, we look around the White House to see what else springs up and helps the President carry out his daily duties.

Editor's note: This gallery was first published in December 2012. We've updated it and republished on November 1, 2013.

Apple iPad 3 (with Retina display)

On the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, the President keeps his Apple iPad (third-generation) in close range. Obama has been known to dabble across various platforms. He uses Macs and PCs, BlackBerrys and iPads, making him platform "agnostic," like many by not endorsing or using a single platform.

iPads offer enterprise security and back-end policy management by network administrators, allowing (of all people) the President's tablet to keep data secure. Obama's iPad 3 includes a Retina display, but the particular model has since been discontinued. However, even though the iPad and the iPhone have almost identical user interfaces, he was reportedly "befuddled" by a voter's iPhone when he tried to make a phone call with one.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

iPad Smart Cover (Black, Leather)

The President's iPad, despite likely being the most well-protected tablet in the Western world, is protected from bumps and scratches by what we believe is a black leather iPad Smart Cover. Here, you can see it on a table aboard Air Force One.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, late-2011)

Obama also uses a 2011 MacBook Pro (15-inch) along with his iPad 3 tablet. He uses his Apple laptop for various things, such as tweeting and answering questions on Reddit. White House photographers have shown him using a variety of devices many times to carry out his presidential duties.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/YouTube.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Air Force One: A military communications bunker in the skies

There's no way one can deny Air Force One is the most advanced jumbo-jet in the Western skies. The plane itself is designed to keep the President safe, secure, but also connected to the outside world when he's flying across the U.S. or abroad.

The Boeing 747-200B series aircraft comes with 85 onboard phones, two-way radios, satellite connections to support air-to-ground connections, secure Internet access and close to two-dozen televisions. The 4,000 square-foot aircraft has three levels, including a communications deck, in case the commander-in-chief needs to order a ground attack from the air.

But what happens in case of a nuclear attack? No trouble for the plane, which has as its core security feature the ability to repel electromagnetic pulses, and other countermeasures, such as enemy radar jamming, should the plane need to fly over hostile territories. And just because, "why not," the plane can also shoot out flares that can throw off heat-seeking missiles off course, according to reports.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Dell Latitude E6420 notebook

Despite using a MacBook Pro to carry out an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit and answering questions on the 2012 Fiscal Cliff on Twitter, Obama uses a Dell Latitude E6420 aboard Air Force One to keep in touch with what's happening on the ground. It's a relatively unremarkable Windows-powered laptop, but it's secure for classified work.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

BlackBerry Curve 8300

The President is well known to be a fan of the BlackBerry. So much so, that he has two of them. Identified in this picture aboard Air Force One as two BlackBerry Curve 8300 handsets, while his other is understood to be a BlackBerry Curve 8900.

BlackBerrys are, at least for now, one of the very few mobile devices approved by the U.S. government for low-level classification document sharing, but the iPhone is not far behind. In May, iPhones and iPads were approved by the U.S. Defense Dept. just a week after the federal government cleared the older iOS 6 software for use in government.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

White House Family Theater: 3D technology

Little do many know that the White House has its own mini-family theater where movie screenings can be held by the Obama family and others. Located in the East Wing of the building, the President can be seen talking to members of the administration and civil servants ahead of a "Men in Black 3" screening.

In this photo, you can see 3D screening technology used, which gives an idea of how advanced the petite movie theater is. That said, the room itself is far from IMAX standards, as it is only able to seat around 40 people.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Obama's motorcade: All aboard "The Beast"

The presidential state car is dubbed by members of the press as "The Beast," as it boasts bulletproof windows, a reinforced gas tank, and its very own chauffeur. Designed by General Motors and built in 2009 in time for Obama's inauguration, the car goes everywhere the President goes. The car is sealed against gas and biochemical attacks, and is even able to run on flat tires should the wheels burst.

Green enthusiasts may not be so pleased to discover the car's fuel efficiency is reportedly just 8 miles per U.S. gallon.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G

On Obama's desk in the Oval Office rests one of the most important tools that he has at his disposal: a phone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G is a secure voice-over-IP phone that connects the leader of the free world to other global leaders and heads of states. It features color LCD screen and gigabit Ethernet connectivity with crystal-clear audio quality. It also features an expansion model that includes customizable speed-dial buttons to reach various people around the White House at a push of a button.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Telecore IST-2 secure phone

A strange looking device, this is one of the most secure phones in the United States. Telecore's IST-2 telephone is approved by the U.S. government for ultra-secure communications that includes multi-cryptographic security. It also features automatic security authentication and a noise-canceling microphone.

And, it also includes caller ID feature, just so you know it really is the Israeli Prime Minister on the other end of the phone.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Chevrolet Volt

The President can be seen here driving around in his former press secretary's car around the South Lawn Drive of the White House in October 2012.

The Chevrolet Volt electric car, among many features, includes a customizable display that can show details about the vehicle, satellite navigation, and the radio station he's currently listening to. It also connects via Bluetooth with a range of smartphones and can be used with an iPhone app to remotely verify that the car is plugged in to charge, and can let Obama lock or unlock, or remotely start your Volt from anywhere.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

HP Elitebook 6930p notebook

The White House Situation Room is in fact made up of a number of large and small conference rooms. During the Navy SEAL operation to kill Osama bin Laden, the President along with other prominent members of the Cabinet and armed forces collected in a smaller room to monitor the situation, as you can see here.

The laptops used in this picture are HP Elitebook 6930p notebooks, designed for enterprise and government use. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and boasting up to 8 hours of battery life, this model is far from pretty but it's certainly tough, rugged and powerful enough to run an operation that led to the demise of the world's most wanted terrorist.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

LG 32-inch 720p LED TV

In and around the White House, staffers and politicians alike are kept up to date with the latest breaking news from split-screens, offering four streams of the major news networks. In this photo, you can see an LG 32-inch 720p LED television mounted to the wall not far away from the Situation Room.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

AMX Modero (7-inch) Tabletop Touch Panel

The White House Situation Room has seen some of the world's most daring crises in real-time. From terrorist attacks to emergency readiness, this high-profile room requires some of the best technology to keep running.

Sitting in front of the president's chair is an AMX NXT-CA7 Tabletop Touch Panel, which gives Obama a heads-up display of important information. It's a small device that nevertheless holds an important task.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

AMX Modero (12-inch) Modero Video Wall Touch Panel

Also in the Situation Room, more AMX technology is put to use. In between the video conferencing equipment and the multi-view projector-powered wall screen, a series of AMX NXD-1200V 12" Modero Video Wall Touch Panels sit in various places around the room, keeping White House staff and security personnel in the room clear on the security classification of the discussions, as well as when microphones are switched on.

These wall displays are touch-enabled, and can also be used to control the room environment, such as lighting and temperature.

Published: November 1, 2013 -- 19:30 GMT (12:30 PDT)

Photo by: White House/Flickr.

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Polycom SoundStation 2 conference phone

The President can communicate hands-free on a conference call with other members of the Cabinet, Congress, and other department heads around the country — and indeed the world — by using the Polycom SoundStation2. It uses high-quality microphones that can pick up voices up to 10-feet away, which is ideal for the Oval Office or the Situation Room, and includes an LCD display for caller ID and other caller information.

Presidential gadgets: What technology does Obama use?

The most tech-savvy U.S. president to date, Barack Obama uses the best devices and technology for the job, in and outside of the White House. Here's a look at some of the devices, platforms and technology he uses to carry out his day-to-day presidential duties.

Read More

Polycom SoundStation 2 conference phone

The President can communicate hands-free on a conference call with other members of the Cabinet, Congress, and other department heads around the country — and indeed the world — by using the Polycom SoundStation2. It uses high-quality microphones that can pick up voices up to 10-feet away, which is ideal for the Oval Office or the Situation Room, and includes an LCD display for caller ID and other caller information.